As the nation still tries to come to terms with how an unexperienced reality star became the latest leader of the “free world” last night, more startling news has hit headlines… the surge in private prison stock.
Coincidentally, the Huffington Post reports that after Donald Trump’s victory was declared, stock prices for America’s two largest private prison contractors went up significantly.
CoreCivic, known as the nation’s largest private prison contractor, had its stock skyrocket by 58% and GEO Group, the second largest contractor, saw it stock raise by 28%.
Some attribute the soar in stock to two instances; one being that America is showing its blatant resistance to the Obama administration and it’s desire to do away with the use of private prisons. The second is many private prison investors seem to believe that private prisons will be more useful seeing how Trump is shamelessly for barring illegal immigrants and keeping policies that imprison the Black and Latino communities.
Its no coincidence that CoreCivic’s newest venture is to operate an immigrant detention center in Cibola County, New Mexico which also ironically used to be a federal prison.
The recent arrival of thousands of Haitian migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, along with the ongoing influx of tens of thousands of Central Americans fleeing violence, has led U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to renew a family detention center contract with a CCA facility in Dilley, Texas. ICE is also contracting a new immigrant detention center with CCA at a former federal prison facility in Cibola County, New Mexico.
“ICE officials have been vocal in recent months about increased needs based on increased apprehensions at the border,” Damon Hininger, chief executive of CCA, said during an earnings call on Thursday. “It is with great pride that we have been able to accommodate these developing needs.”
Contracts with ICE accounted for roughly a quarter of CCA’s federal business last year ― the largest share from a single agency. The U.S. Marshals Service, which in recent years has taken on a far larger role in detaining migrants who face criminal prosecutions, accounts for 16 percent of CCA’s federal contracts. Though the U.S. Marshals Service is part of the Justice Department, it was not required by the Aug. 18 memo to phase out its use of private prison contractors.”
Even though stocks did take a tumble back in August, Hininger still felt optimistic about the future for investing in private prisons.
“I personally purchased more shares in August, as did multiple members of our board, prior to the closure of our trading window,” Hininger said, noting that he personally owns more than 200,000 shares, as well as some 500,000 additional shares received as part of his compensation. “My personal optimism in the future of our company is unwavered by these recent events.” – via Huffington Post
Even though it has also been reported that stocks have fallen a bit presently, their presence still remains strong in the stock market.
Are you understanding whats going on now, America? Let’s chat below!
TSR STAFF: Debra Oh! @The_Ebony_Issue on IG
Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/private-prison-stocks-trump_us_582336c5e4b0e80b02ce3287
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/cca-private-prison-doj_us_581b724ce4b0ba0d98fdda0f
